Green home builders are creating communities where people can live in a more sustainable way. They are focusing on energy efficiency, water conservation, recycled materials and more.
Compared to standard homes, green homes use up to 40 percent less energy. This is a huge difference!
Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency is a vital part of green building, and it can be both an environmental and financial boon. It can lower your home’s utility bills, and it can also make your house more comfortable and durable.
The good news is that many of the steps you can take to make your home more energy efficient are fairly inexpensive, and they’ll pay off in the long run. For instance, installing low-flow faucets and toilets can save you a lot of money on water bills, and can help reduce your environmental impact.
The best way to ensure you’re getting the most out of your green home building is to work with a professional team that understands what it takes to build an environmentally friendly home. For example, you should have your general contractor approve any modifications you want to make to your home before starting the construction process.
Water Conservation
Water conservation is an important part of green home building. It helps to preserve natural resources and reduce stress on water treatment plants that often dump untreated water into rivers and drains.
Water use can be minimized with a variety of strategies including low-flow toilets, showerheads and faucets. Using less water can result in significant savings on utility bills and a reduction in sewage volumes.
Another option for water conservation is grey water recycling. This process collects water from kitchens, bathing and other areas that haven’t reached the sewage system and recycles it to reuse in flush fixtures and landscape irrigation.
Moreover, water-efficient plumbing fittings can help to save thousands of gallons of water per year in a building. In addition, installing a rainwater collection system can help conserve fresh water by reducing reliance on municipal supplies.
Recycled Materials
Using recycled materials is an important part of green home building. These materials are often more energy efficient and environmentally friendly than new raw materials, so they can help you save money on your energy bills.
Reclaimed wood is a great option because it reduces the amount of lumber that goes to landfills and also uses less energy in its manufacturing process. It can be purchased at salvage yards, excavating companies and home remodeling contractors and businesses.
Another great option is reclaimed metal. It can be used to make plumbing or electrical wires that would have otherwise been thrown away.
Steel is also a good choice for building framing because it’s durable and can withstand earthquakes and high winds. It’s also 100% recyclable and can be easily repurposed into new products.
Eco-Friendly Products
The use of eco-friendly products is one of the most important aspects of building a green home. Not only does it make your house sustainable, but it also saves energy and reduces carbon emissions.
Insulation is an essential part of reducing the amount of energy you need to heat and cool your home. You can find insulation that is made from natural resources like wood, cellulose or hemp.
Another type of sustainable insulation is straw bales. These materials are often sourced from farmers who burn off their straw after harvest. Instead of releasing their embodied carbon back into the atmosphere, these straw by-products can be used to make compressed ceiling and wall panels.
Water conservation is another major component of building a green home. You can install low flow faucets and toilets or use graywater from your dishwasher, laundry or sink run-off to cut down on your water bills.